FRIGHTENED residents sheltered in their own homes when a mass brawl of up to 20 yobs brought terror to their estate.

The gangs left a trail of destruction when they went on the rampage, turning part of the Southampton estate into a battlefield.

They smashed bottles, broke up fences and overturned wheelie bins before targeting one of the houses.

So far seven youths have been arrested.

Eyewitnesses say they then used glass bottles and wooden fence panels to smash windows of the property while a family was still inside.

Continued from front page Police have stepped up patrols in the area while an investigation into the violence continues.

The fighting happened in Lydgate Green in the Thornhill area of the city.

Residents nearby said they were too scared to confront the group and locked themselves in their houses as they called the police.

"It was the Battle of Lydgate Green," said neighbour Ray Priest.

"We have a lot of trouble around here but I have never seen anything this bad before."

The violence is thought to have stemmed from a fight between two groups of youths earlier in the day.

Residents said as the trouble escalated one person went inside and others turned on the property.

"They were fighting each other and trying to get inside one of the houses. When they couldn't get inside they started throwing bottles, broke up a fence and smashed a couple of windows," Mr Priest added.

"It was terrifying to watch and now everyone around here is scared about what might happen next," he said.

Another resident, who asked not to be named, said she was woken by loud fighting and swearing and feared the violence would escalate.

"I woke up and could hear them shouting and kicking over bins - their language was awful. I was really scared and kept myself away from the window.

"I was shaking and really was worried it was going to come into my garden and they would put my windows through," she said.

Another neighbour added: "I was at a friend's house over the road and decided to stay there because I was too scared to come out and go to my own house."

Detectives in Bitterne say they have launched an investigation into a public order incident which took place just before 11pm on Friday.

Detective Sargent Lee Macarthur from Bitterne CID said: "It was a frightening incident and members of the public have so far been very good at coming forward.

"We have stepped up patrols to give a highly visual police presence in the area and are urging anyone with anymore information about what happened to come forward to help us with our enquiries," he added.

Det Sgt Macarthur said so far seven people from teenagers to young adults had been arrested and released on police bail while they continue their investigation.

Anyone with any information can contact Bitterne CID on 0845 045 4545 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

For the full story, see today's Daily Echo